Head of Finance
- Recruiter
- Essex County Council
- Location
- Chelmsford, Essex
- Salary
- £81,000 - £90,000
- Posted
- 01 Feb 2018
- Closes
- 25 Feb 2018
- Job Title
- Head of Finance
- Category
- Public Sector
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
Head of Finance Major Programmes
Chelmsford, Essex
£81,000 - £90,000
Essex County Council is one of the largest, most reputable local authorities in the UK. Not only is it one of the largest, but it is one of the most dynamic, with a strong reputation for innovation and is a £2 billion organisation positively embracing change. By 2020, given Local Government reforms, we aim to be both self-financing and self-sufficient. It’s a significant change and a huge challenge. We’re committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. In turn we offer a great central location which is easily accessible to all road and rail links plus we’re immensely proud of our flexible working options. We don’t just want to make Essex County Council the best it can be, we are passionate about better lives for people in Essex.
The opportunity
The Head of Finance for Major Programmes has a pivotal role in the organisation. Leading a small team you will be driving the strategic finance agenda for major change programmes – whether it be enabling the transformation of our estate, development of a commercial model for new houses, or supporting on PFI contracts. This is a high profile role within high profile change programmes.
As a strategic finance leader, your focus will be to translate the vision of the Council and influence financial direction across significant commercial programmes. As part of your role you’ll represent the Council at key strategic and political boards – you will have a small team to support you, but you will be the go to for clear financial advice and strategic direction. You’ll be responsible for providing financial insight, leadership and advice to major programmes including Estate, Waste and New Housing and Community developments. With a small team of highly qualified financial advisors, you’ll work collaboratively to provide insight on potential commercial ventures and leadership to colleagues across all levels of the Council.
You will also be a key member of the finance leadership team and deputise for the Director as necessary. This means you will hold collective responsibility for leadership for the advancement of the finance profession within Essex. This provides for a broader set of responsibilities beyond the ‘day job’ as you take responsibility for helping shape and form the best finance team in local government.
About you
You’ll need to be qualified to CCAB level with significant post-qualification experience and evidence of your continuing professional development. As an expert in your field, you’ll have extensive financial and project management experience, credibility in the commercial field and impressive influencing skills. You’ll be comfortable working within a large, complex organisation, and have working knowledge of the financial framework within which local government operates. You have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and use these to develop effective networks to support your field of work. Plus we understand that life sometimes doesn’t always go according to plan and that there are times where work has to fit around you, which is why we are committed to ensuring flexible working options across all of our business units.
About us
At Essex County Council we have a vision to be a county where innovation brings prosperity and we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents. With a total workforce of around 7,500, Essex County Council is one of the largest county councils in the country and we truly believe our greatest asset is our people. They are fundamentally key to our current and future success.
Rewards
We offer an excellent benefits package to all our employees. It’s important to us that you have a healthy work/life balance, which is why we offer flexible working solutions. The package also includes a great central location, which is easily accessible to all road and rail links, a clear career path which will encourage gifted, committed individuals to grow with the opportunity for progression and promotion, a local government pension scheme, annual leave of up to 29 days per year, discounted shopping and much more.
All candidates will be expected to attend an open evening in London on 22 February. Formal interviews will take place the weeks commencing 26 February and 05 March.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.